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Schools

Sophomore Takes Home 'West Islip Idol' Crown

Briana Pace beat out 10 other WI High School students.

For the past three school years, West Islip High School’s Class of 2012 has hosted the West Islip Idol competition.

On Thursday night, various students tested their skills as they worked to sing, wow and rock the crowd.  And it was sophomore Briana Pace who came out victorious.  

A total of three judges; Desire, Joe Lacova and Doug Gifford choose this year's winner.  Past winners of the title of “West Islip Idol” include alumni Mary Castro (‘09) and Annie Lamagna (‘10). Last year's winner is current WIHS junior, Jennifer Trezza.

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With only two seniors competing this year, Marissa DeMarzo and Nikki Findel, the competition was wide open. DeMarzo has competed in all previous West Islip Idol Competitions in the last three years.

Other contestants included juniors Dan Lewis, Tiffanie Rodenberg and Mike Sutter; sophomores; Maria Veiga, Kara DiResta, Brianna Pace, Victoria Panagos, Jess Pecorella; freshman; Sami Mc Evoy.

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Each student sang one song for the first round and then the judges deliberated to bring West Islip’s Top 11 down to the Top 5. While the judges were deliberating, Trezza (last year's winner), had a special encore performance.

Also during the intermissions between rounds the Class of 2012 sold raffle tickets for a 50/50 with 50 percent of the raffle money was donated to buying at least one stove for people in Guatemala. The Class of 2012 will continue to raise money for Guatemala throughout the school year.

After the second round the judges made the Top 5 into the top two with Brianna Pace and Victoria Panagos in the finals. The two then each sang one more song and the winner was announced to be... Briana Pace!

For more info on upcoming Class of 2012 events and how you can donate money for their Guatemala Project go to http://wihsclassof2012.tumblr.com for updates!

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